Evansville, IN – A bloody knife found in a bag of items lying next to a garbage can eventually led to a 19 year old man pleading guilty to a murder charge in Vanderburgh County. James Levi Mayhugh (04/24/1994) has pleaded open in Vanderburgh County Circuit Court to Murder, Armed Robbery, Burglary and Theft.

James Mayhugh’s cousin, Hubert Mayhugh III has already been found guilty in a jury trial of the same charges and awaits a sentencing of his own on November 7th.

Officers received a call about the bag full of bloody items on March 11, 2012. The items, including a knife, video surveillance equipment and two phones that were used to lead officers to a house where officers found Keith Vaughn deceased, with a wound to his neck.

During the trial of Hubert Mayhugh, evidence was presented that indicated James and Hubert went to Vaughn’s house to rob him. During the struggle, James “poked” Vaughn in the neck.

Chief Trial Deputy Mike Perry and Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Hatfield have been assigned to all three cases. Vaughn’s Wife, Megan Mecum, had pleaded guilty this summer, but violated terms of the plea; forcing prosecutor’s to request a withdrawal of this plea, which was granted. She goes to trial next month.

Of this case, Perry said “The plea and verdict of the jury provide vindication for both the deceased and members of his family, members of law enforcement who investigated this matter and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s office who worked on this case. In the end, the results of these two matters prove that justice does prevail.”